At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead technology strategy and design for digital and data services at DCMS.
- Company: Join the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in Manchester.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape government technology.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities to influence senior stakeholders.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on society by driving innovative tech solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in designing complex digital services and leading cloud-based technical design.
The predicted salary is between 66582 - 75000 £ per year.
Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) We are transforming DCMS to meet the needs of a modern‑delivery‑focused department working on some of government’s highest‑priority agendas to drive growth, enrich lives and level‑up society.
Location: Manchester
About The Job
This is a rare opportunity to shape how technology supports delivery across DCMS at a pivotal moment for the department. As Head of Technology – Digital & Data Services, you will lead technology strategy and technical design across a varied portfolio of digital and data products and services, working as part of a senior multidisciplinary leadership team. Working collaboratively with DCMS’ Chief Technology Officer and Principal Architect, you will set direction for architecture and the technology stack for digital solutions to support better policy outcomes for the department. You’ll ensure solutions are secure by design, scalable, high quality and aligned with government standards. You will support teams across DCMS to explore technical options, assess feasibility and make confident decisions early, while providing technical assurance for internal delivery and supplier‑led services.
The role offers broad influence: from shaping governance and decision‑making, to working with senior stakeholders across policy, delivery and commercial functions, to identify the right suppliers and manage value from investment. You will build strong partnerships across DCMS and beyond, champion user‑centred approaches, and help make technology a practical enabler of departmental priorities, leading technical decisions for our Digital, Data & AI team.
Person specification
Skills
The ideal candidate would have the following key skills and experience, please note that desirable skills will only be used in the event of tied candidates: This role aligns to the Lead Technical Architect role in the Government Digital and Data Capability Framework.
Essential Requirements
- Designing architecture for complex digital services, including internal and public‑facing systems, and making sound choices about the right technology approach for user needs, value for money and long‑term support.
- Leading cloud‑based technical design, particularly in Azure and Google Cloud Platform with a strong understanding of cloud‑native architecture and secure design across infrastructure, platforms and software services.
- Setting technical direction across teams, including shaping strategy, roadmaps, standards, patterns and policies, measuring, monitoring and evaluating, and making or guiding architectural decisions in complex, high‑risk environments.
- Working collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and communicating clearly with both technical and non‑technical stakeholders, including influencing senior leaders and building support for difficult decisions.
- Delivering through others with good commercial judgement, including analysing system capability, producing clear technical documentation, working effectively with suppliers, and managing budgets or spend to get the best return on investment.
Desirable Skills
- Familiarity with the UK Government Service Standard and service assessments.
- Deep understanding of agile and devops culture, including continuous integration/continuous delivery (CI/CD) and making best use of novel and emerging technologies (eg: AI, process automation).
- Demonstrable awareness of data and performance analysis tools, and their development and maintenance principles.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Technology (Digital & Data Services) - Department for Culture, Media and Sport - G6 in Manchester
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what Manchester Digital values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges Manchester Digital might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at Manchester Digital!
✨Direct Apply to Manchester Digital
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We think you need these skills to ace Head of Technology (Digital & Data Services) - Department for Culture, Media and Sport - G6 in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Manchester Digital.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at Manchester Digital. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at Manchester Digital
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
